"He loved Time Team and it would be very fitting that they could do one more dig at a location Mick would have loved."

Born and raised in Oldbury in the West Midlands, Prof Aston was instantly recognisable on television for his colourful jumpers.

He lived in Somerset, and continued to take part in archaeology projects after leaving Time Team acrimoniously last year, when he accused the programme of dumbing down.

Before being named an emeritus professor at the university of Bristol and an honorary visiting professor at Exeter and Durham, he first joined the cast led by actor and presenter Tony Robinson when the show began in 1994.